Happy New Year!

Here’s to an exciting year ahead, filled with meaningful success in guiding your students!

With the first semester behind you, it’s time for seniors — and their parents — to start looking ahead to college. This is an exciting step, but it comes with big decisions: choosing the right school, applying for financial aid, mapping out college courses, and preparing for a smooth transition. This month, we’ll highlight key tips and resources to help your students feel confident and ready to begin their college journey.

Preparing for college involves a lot of moving parts, and Your Transition to College is designed to make those steps easier to understand and follow. If you’re a first-generation college student, some of this information may be completely new — and that’s okay.

Even if it feels like common sense, having everything laid out in one place gives you a helpful reference whenever you’re unsure what to do next.

Not sure which colleges to apply to? Start with OKcollegestart’s Explore Schools tool. Enter your preferences — such as location, size, cost, and program options — and discover schools that match your goals. Access information for colleges and career technology centers across Oklahoma and nationwide.

Remember to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA is your first step toward applying for federal — and some state — financial aid to help cover college costs. FAFSA results can be sent to up to twenty schools giving students the opportunity to compare financial aid offers and choose the best fit for your future.

The FAFSA becomes available every year on October 1 and should be submitted annually. Start your application at FAFSA.gov. For assistance, review the FAFSA completion forms available at UCanGo2.org.

Submitting college applications early is always a smart move — but we know the process can feel overwhelming. To make it easier, visit OKcollegestart.org and try the Practice a College Application tool! Going through a practice application will give you a clear idea of what real applications ask for and give you time to prepare thoughtful answers without the pressure.

Heading to college is a big step, and it comes with many decisions for students and their families. We want to make sure they have every resource needed to feel confident in their choices. Explore the helpful tools and guides at UCanGo2.org, where you’ll find plenty of resources for college preparation and readiness.

If you need any assistance, we’re here to help!

The UCanGo2 Outreach Team is available to provide free presentations or Zoom webinars at your school, library or community center focused on college planning and the FAFSA! Additionally, we can share information about Oklahoma’s Promise, finding scholarships and creating a StudentAid.gov account, which is necessary to access and electronically sign your FAFSA application. To request a workshop: